Traveling and Living

The Key to Understanding the Tourism Industry
Tourism is one of the most exciting and progressive industries. Tourism is also big business. Tourism impacts on almost every industry. The total real output, including direct and indirect expenditure..

Tourism is now one of the largest industries. The tourism industry has a larger output than:

• Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing;
• Mining, Communication Service; and
• Electricity, Gas & Water Supply.

Tourism is everyone’s business
Everyone gains from properly managed tourism. These benefits can be especially significant in regional areas by diversifying the area’s economic base and expanding the employment market.

In its broadest sense, the tourism industry is the total of all businesses that directly provide goods or services to facilitate business, pleasure and leisure activities away from the home environment.

The consumer
In the tourism system the consumer is the most important element as the consumer is the reason tourism products and services exist. Everyone working in tourism must ensure that the consumer is fundamental to all business and planning decisions.

Consumers have many choices about how to spend their money and leisure time. If they choose to spend their money on a holiday, they will then determine their budget, decide how much time they have available and what types of activities they would like to do while away. Then they will begin to select a destination, decide how they will travel there and make reservations accordingly through a travel agent, wholesaler, over the Internet or directly from the tourism operator.

The travel experience
The travel experience relates to how the consumer travels to the destination and the experience they have along the way. The choices can include air, car, boat, coach, train, motorbike, hiking or a combination of the above. The mode of travel affects the type of experience, for example flying to a destination is a very different experience to driving.

A destination can suffer if transport options, links and support services are limited or below standard. Issues such as the variety of attractions, facilities and accommodation available en route, the road quality, signage and frequency of transport services, can all affect the quality of the travel experience.

The holiday experience
When consumers decide to take a particular type of holiday they have expectations of the experience they will have. This could relate to the quality of accommodation, service and food, the range and cost of activities available, the length of time they have, the weather, etc. Their satisfaction will be based on how well the holiday met their initial expectations or exceeded them.

Marketing your business
Marketing refers to a multi-faceted, on-going process that any successful business is continually working through. It includes activities such as: researching the market, your consumers and products; evaluating research data; developing your business and products; developing your own skills; and promoting, advertising or working with the media to raise awareness of your product and generate sales.

Marketing is often described as ‘the four Ps’: product, place, price and promotion. The product includes the physical attributes of the product, branding and packaging. Place is about distribution: the agencies, channels and institutions used to give consumers easy access to purchasing your product. Price must meet both the consumer’s and your needs. Promotion is explaining destinations, products and services to consumers to help them choose their holiday.

Promotion can use a range of media such as print (magazines, newspapers, brochures, posters displayed on billboards, bus stops, the sides of buses, trains etc), television, radio, direct mail, Internet, etc. Providing a holiday package as a prize for a competition or even staying in touch with customers provides promotion of your product. You can learn more about marketing business with Mike Azcue where he is the man who successfully led the marketing world’s 200 countries

Customer knowledge management in the travel industry
Despite the increasing importance of customer knowledge management, the concept appears to be ill-defined by companies across the travel industry. The aims of this research were twofold: first, to determine how some leading companies within the travel industry were managing their customer relationships and second, to ascertain how they intended to proceed in a changing market environment. Using a qualitative research approach, semi structured interviews was held with a convenience sample of ten respondent companies. Several major issues were identified, including strategic vision, customer knowledge/needs, and the role of technology. While most respondents acknowledged the strategic importance of customer relationship management, they were found to be struggling, to varying degrees, with its integration into service delivery. For customers that want to join in customer knowledge management, you will get a guide to success in the field of product marketing Mike Azcue. His career in leading the marketing world to get a good positive impact from its customers, all the attention Mike Azcue has given to the World-ventures company as Internet-based, specializes in vacation.

Consumer Decision-making
Understanding the process consumers work through in deciding about taking a holiday. It is important to understand this process because it influences all stages of the previously discussed model, especially the marketing/promotion element.

Needs – Going on a holiday allows people to take a break from their normal life, whether it’s restful idleness in scenic spots or extreme sports in challenging terrain, on their own, with a partner or friends, or in a large group.

Awareness – Consumers may have a recognized or unrecognized need for a holiday. Promoting a holiday destination, product or service can help consumers recognize they need a holiday, and then raise their awareness of the choices available.

Motivation – If the consumer is positively aware of a destination, product or service they are more likely to be motivated to visit.

Planning/Decision – Promotional information helps the consumer decide how to get there, and what they want to do.

Satisfaction – If a product delivers what has been promoted, the consumer is likely to be satisfied and have a quality holiday experience, and vice versa.

Word of Mouth – Consumers share their holiday experiences with friends, family and colleagues. Their word of mouth raises awareness of the destination, product(s) and service(s) with potential future consumers.

If you have had an accident on holiday abroad or suffer an illness whilst abroad, which was not your fault you could be entitled to claim compensation although a solicitor would need to review the circumstances in more detail before a definite decision could be made.

Examples of accidents whilst on holiday:

• Slips on wet surfaces within the hotel or trips on raised/defective surfaces.
• Accidents whilst on day trip excursions.
• Injuries whilst taking part in sporting activities.
• Vehicle incidents causing injury.

Travel agents have a responsibility to ensure that accommodation is safe and hygienic, meaning non slip flooring throughout hotels, safety glass windows, and no trip hazards in direct path of customers, safe play areas for children, and swimming pools to have lifeguards.

Examples of claims resulting from Accidents Abroad

For example, if your accident was caused due to a badly maintained section of walkway in the hotel grounds you would be entitled to make a personal injury compensation claim against your travel agent. You would also be able to make a personal injury compensation claim against your travel agent if you contracted a form of food poisoning from the hotel restaurant; however, you would not be able to make a personal injury compensation claim against your travel agent if your accident was caused due to a badly maintained pavement in a local town centre.

Equally, if an accident occurred whilst you were engaged in sports or activities that were arranged by you with independent operators in the holiday resort or location, there may be no liability under the Package Tour regulations regime. Potentially dangerous activities on the beach such as paragliding, banana boat rides, waterskiing or snorkeling and diving may not be covered under these regulations as they would not be part of the holiday package deal. One could try and sue the companies in the country they are based but separate detailed local legal advice would then need to be considered and this can be a difficult and costly process.

Even if you have made your travel and accommodation arrangements personally without a tour or travel agent, it is still worth seeking specialist legal advice as to the options that may be available to you.

Even if you are traveling by plane, ship or trains abroad and have not reached your destination, there may be legal remedies available and again you should contact us so that you can be put in touch with specialist solicitors.

If you are involved in road traffic accidents abroad whether as a driver or passenger or whether in a car, taxi, coach or bus, it is possible that you may have a right to seek compensation if another party was to blame and is identifiable.  Read the rest of this entry »

Amsterdam is defined by its canals.

Built 400 years ago in concentric horseshoes, they are the rib cage of the city. Coasting their waters on a canal boat opens windows onto a history of vast wealth and global power. The cobbled streets alongside the canals are scenic urban pathways for walking or biking. And they are anchors for funky shops, and cafes.

The inner city of the Dutch capital is a compact warren of heritage buildings, of museums both grand and odd, of hidden gardens and outdoor markets – all within easy reach by any mode of transport except the unwelcome car.

No longer is the bargain city of Europe, Amsterdam still a town of wonders that can be had for a discount, and sometimes for free.

WALKING AND BIKING

Seeing 17th century Amsterdam, with its proud past and sometimes quirky culture on display, from a bike or on foot is a happy cost-free experience. Among its 2,000 or so bridges, the Bridge of 15 Bridges at the intersection of two canals is among the most spectacular, with a view of a series of stone spans whose arches are gracefully lit at night.

The city also has hidden gems that require guidance or tips to find: Some gardens, tucked away in courtyards or behind stately apartments, are open to the public any time, while others open on a special day of the year. The Rijksmuseum, with its Rembrandts and Vermeers, costs 11 euro ($A18.86) entry, but its garden is open year-round for free.

The Begijnhof is a grassy courtyard surrounded by 14th century cottages – an oasis of quiet at one of the busiest sections of town where a small chapel often stages musical recitals. Near the Begijnhof is a covered passageway known as the Civics Guard Gallery, with 15 huge group portraits – from the same time as Rembrandt’s Night Watch – of leading citizens from the Dutch Golden Age.

Outside the well-trod shopping lanes are the lesser known sections, like the Nine Lanes, lined with tiny specialty establishments like the handmade soap shop, the spectacles museum and a store dedicated to toothbrushes. The Jordaan, once the working class district, has been revived with boutiques, tapas bars, ethnic restaurants and Amsterdam Hotels. Advertorial info: sharing files over the internet Read the rest of this entry »

Travel to barcelona, in spain, for a unique cultural, historical and sensorial experience. It is a throbbing, vibrant city at once firmly grounded in its rich heritage and looking to the future. A tour to Barcelona promises an eclectic palette.

The second largest city in spain , barcelona is situated in the northeastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula bordering the Mediterranean Sea.

As you travel to barcelona, it is interesting to note that the city has its roots in a Roman colony founded way back in the 2 nd century B.C.

You will be struck by the architecture of the city on your voyage to Barcelona . It is the seat of Modernist Architecture and the city skyline sports a dynamic and dramatic look courtesy the concrete creations of Master Antoní Gaudí and his contemporaries.

You will surely discover the amazing history of barcelona traveling through its lanes. Its Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance monuments are lovingly conserved, as are the labyrinth of narrow alleys.You can also share and express your views on Barcelona Hotels.

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London can be an intimidating city, but it’s also one of the world’s most fascinating places. Here’s some advice for first-time visitors.

London attracts more American visitors than any other European city. Dig deep enough and you’ll find Roman, Saxon and Medieval remnants but, you’ll also find skyscrapers and imposing Victorian architecture. The past is alive and well in London, you just have to know how to look for it. Over the centuries, all the outlying villages have become consolidated into one huge and wonderful city. The size alone can intimidate the first time visitor. Here are a few suggestions to make your first journey to London stress free.

Take an orientation tour. Get your bearings by taking an orientation tour, such as London Hotels where those offered on the red double-decker buses. Take the tour on the very first afternoon, or the next morning at the latest.

Be sure your accommodations are near a subway (tube) stop. Don’t even think about renting a car within the city. Streets are typically congested, drivers are aggressive and parking is nearly nonexistent. dx news Read the rest of this entry »